In late February and early March of 1836, a Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna lay siege to a mission known as the Alamo, held by a small band of rebels that included Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis. In the dark early morning of March 6, all inside the fort were dead -- and one of America's most enduring legends was born.

Randy Roberts and James S. Olson retell the story of the Alamo from both the Mexican and the American perspectives, delving into the historical accuracy of such myths as Bowie's famous line in the sand, Crockett's celebrated fight to the death, and the common portrayal of the Mexicans as ruthless killers. Separating fact from fiction, they trace how and why those fictions grew, from the rapid spread of the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo!" to the "patriotic" depictions of battle in American films and television to the potency of the Alamo as a symbol in Texas politics and American culture today.

Author Bio

Roberts, Randy : Purdue University

Randy Roberts is professor of history at Purdue University and lives in Lafayette, Indiana.

Olson, James S. : Sam Houston State Univesity

James S. Olson is distinguished professor of history at Sam Houston State University and lives in Huntsville, Texas. They are the coauthors of John Wayne: American and Where Dominos Fell: America and Vietnam.

Preface Map Prologue

In the Footsteps of History "The Free Born Sons of America" "The Bones of Warriors" "Those Proud Tow'rs" "VICTORY or DEATH" INTERLUDE

In Search of Davy's Grave Retrieving the Bones of History King of the Wild Frontier Only Heroes, Only Men De la Peña's Revenge The Third Battle of the Alamo Epilogue Notes Bibliographic Essay Index

In late February and early March of 1836, a Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna lay siege to a mission known as the Alamo, held by a small band of rebels that included Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis. In the dark early morning of March 6, all inside the fort were dead -- and one of America's most enduring legends was born.

Randy Roberts and James S. Olson retell the story of the Alamo from both the Mexican and the American perspectives, delving into the historical accuracy of such myths as Bowie's famous line in the sand, Crockett's celebrated fight to the death, and the common portrayal of the Mexicans as ruthless killers. Separating fact from fiction, they trace how and why those fictions grew, from the rapid spread of the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo!" to the "patriotic" depictions of battle in American films and television to the potency of the Alamo as a symbol in Texas politics and American culture today.

Author Bio

Roberts, Randy : Purdue University

Randy Roberts is professor of history at Purdue University and lives in Lafayette, Indiana.

Olson, James S. : Sam Houston State Univesity

James S. Olson is distinguished professor of history at Sam Houston State University and lives in Huntsville, Texas. They are the coauthors of John Wayne: American and Where Dominos Fell: America and Vietnam.

Table of Contents

Preface Map Prologue

In the Footsteps of History "The Free Born Sons of America" "The Bones of Warriors" "Those Proud Tow'rs" "VICTORY or DEATH" INTERLUDE

In Search of Davy's Grave Retrieving the Bones of History King of the Wild Frontier Only Heroes, Only Men De la Peña's Revenge The Third Battle of the Alamo Epilogue Notes Bibliographic Essay Index